Dunedin C.C. not happy with M.O.T.

Press, 18 July 1980, Page 4

Dunedin C.C. not happy with M.O.T.

PA Dunedin The Dunedin City Council is investigating the possibility of resuming responsibly for traffic control un the pity because it is concerned about the level of traffic enforcement shown by the Ministry of Transport The councils works and finance committees are.studycosts and efficiency of such a venture, giving “serious consideration to the possibility of the city resuming its own traffic control," according to the Town Clerk (Mr A. K. Carr) yesterday. The Ministry took over parking meter and traffic enforcement from Dunedin City in 1971 when an agree? meat was drawn up between the two bodies, '

The agreement fan he terminated either in whole or in part by. either side, provided three months notice is given? Mr Carr said the matter came to a head for council? lore over a dispute with th? Ministry about $97,500 which it alleges the council owes m arrears for parkjng?meter patrol fees. The matter has . since, been referred to the Ombudsman, who will bring down a report. While this is. being done, the council is preparing its own report on the efficiency and viability of returning to its previous system- „ t . Although the council had had no official correspondence from the two city councils in New Zealand which have maintained their own traffic control, Auckland and Invercargill, Mr Carr said he be-

lieyH that both had found the activities economic.

The president of Otago Automobile Association (Mr R- E. N- Oakley) said that although the matter had not been discussed by the council, the association would welcome an investigation into the city’s taking hack control. “Although the association cannot come out strongly for or against the proposal,' it is fair t<? say it has not been happy about some aspects of the Ministry’s control, particuiarly the testing stations ip Dunedin,” he said. “As long as there was no vast difference in the costs, Ipcal control would receive favour.”